Guess the Card - 3
Resource Information
Level Beginner
Age 10-12 and up.
Number of Players The whole class plays together
Object To use the target language to collect as many cards as possible.
Language Skills memory, gesture, speaking, listening, communication
Resources Object cards. About 8 varieties and enough for each student to have about 6 cards each.
ie. If you have a class of 30 students, then about 180 cards of 8 different kinds. I usually make B&W copies of my card sheets, cut them up with a guillotine , use them for the class, and if they get crunched up by little hands, chuck them out.
Time About 10 minutes
Advantages This game can be used to practice any vocabulary and any short conversation.
Most classes will love playing this game.
Disadvantages If you find yourself with an unmotivated class and you haven't quite yet been able to turn them, then they might not be ready for this game.
How to play...
  • For this example we will use the target language, "What's this?" "It's a monkey". There are 8 different animal cards.
  • Spend sufficient time practicing the language and checking understanding before the game begins.
  • Give each student 4 cards each. The students do not show other students what cards they have. Keep some spare cards for students who might run out of cards during the game.
  • Students stand up, find a partner and Junken (Rock Paper Scissors).
  • The loser chooses a card from their hand, concealing it, and asks the question "What's this?"
  • The winner guesses, "It's a monkey."
  • If they guess correctly, they win the card. If they guess incorrectly, they don't win the card.
  • They students then separate, find a new partner and continue the game.
  • If a student runs out of cards, give them 2 from your 'spare cards' so they can continue the game.
  • Continue on for 10 minutes or so, until you think it is time to end.
  • Whichever student has the most cards in the end is the winner and gets a reward ie. stamp.

What do you do when you get to the core of the apple?